Hatfield Forest

Bring your family to the forest and enjoy a range of outdoor activities, whether it be just letting off steam running around under the trees, building a den or exploring the further reaches on foot or by bike

With lots of open space and woodland to explore at our special place we're perfect for kick starting your 50 Things adventure. Here are our top ten activities to get you started.

The forest trails are ideal for walking, running or riding. Try the lake for boating or fishing.

Join one of our special summer runs, walks and talks, and share our love and knowledge of the forest. Alternatively, reconnect with nature through our mindful practice sessions.

As you walk through the Forest, especially in the central lake area, take a closer look at the trees and you will be surprised by the variety of trees - no boring monoculture here.

Hatfield Forest is a perfect place for walking your dog, with miles of paths to explore, trees to sniff and grass to roll about in.

Treat yourself at the Forest Cafe. Enjoy a slice of cake and a cappucino.

Enjoy tempting treats on your visit to our shop, from locally sourced food to the perfect gift. All profits go directly back into our conservation work at the Forest.

We sell award winning venison, firewood and planks of timber, all sourced from the Forest.

We have recently uncovered exciting evidence that Capability Brown prepared a small scheme for altering the lake and lakeside area.

Find out more about some of the forest's rich and varied history.

Find out more about the history of Hatfield Forest stretching back over two thousand years.

The Forest contains a number of buildings and sites of historic interest.

Several families have been associated with ownership of the Forest over the last six hundred years.

Find out more about some of the things you may have seen whilst exploring the Forest

There are many species of bird at our special place. From woodland to water they call our special place home.

We're home to an established population of both fallow and muntjac deer, secretive and shy but well worth the stake out. Come scour our woods to see how many you find.

We're not only a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) but also a National Nature Reserve. Visit to find out why we've been awarded these designations and what they mean for our visitors and volunteers.

The tree-scape at Hatfield Forest is influenced by our interventions, with the occasional help from high winds.

Nature left to its own devices would soon cause rapid reversion of open areas to scrub. We have several projects across the Forest tackling this thorny issue.

We are undertaking a range of conservation projects in the Forest.

Find out more about some of the special projects we undertake in the Forest.